Page 23 of Tainted Truth

My puzzling look spurs her to continue. “Let me give you some advice, Spencer. Zane would rip his heart out and give it to you—remember what a precious gift that is. Even couples who have been married for decades can’t say that about their partner.”

Is that what’s actually happening right now?

“Rio is protective and it’s an instinct he can’t turn off. Let him, and he will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and grant you vengeance.” She says the statement with a surety that tells me she’s familiar with that side of him.

This is getting weird . . . Vengeance?

“And lastly, Asher. That boy has seen too much—they all have. But it affects him differently. He may seem hard and cold, but he’s not. Give him time.”

But he is hard and cold!

Is he though?

Damn, Intrusive Spencer. I don’t want to think about theincidentin my kitchen and how he was soft with me after and carefully put me to bed. Because the other side of him, that I see way more often than not, is a brick wall.

All I can do is nod along as Paloma makes it harder and harder to be angry with my men.

Turning towards the kitchen, I find Zane and Rio flicking water at the gangbangers who seem to be obsessed with Carmen. All five of them are giggling like little boys, causing a smile to form on my face and satisfaction to swell in my chest. As if he can sense the shift in mood, Asher’s eyes meet mine while he sits at the kitchen table. The corner of his mouth tugs up and my smile falters. I look down at my hands as they wring together in my lap, and I consider Paloma’s words.

Yes, I’ve been held against my will, but . . . maybe I’m okay with it. There hasn’t been a moment where I actually thought they’d hurt me, or do something I don’t want them to.

I don’t want to give in so easily, though. I don’t want them to think everything is okay.

Orgasms don’t equate to forgiveness.

“Tell me about your family. Rio said you’re not from New York.”

My mouth flaps open and closed as I think about how to answer a question I’ve avoided for years. “Oh. Um. No, I didn’t grow up here. I’m from Texas.”

“Ooo. A southern belle. I like that,” she comments with a warm pat on my arm. “I’m sure your mother misses you.”

“Uh. Yes, she does.”

Shit. Mom.

She must be worried about me. The distance has been hitting her harder, and now I don’t have my damn phone so I canreassure her that I’m fine. I’m going to need to talk to the guys about getting my phone back—I highly doubt they’ll go for it, but might as well try.

Paloma either sees the far off look in my eyes or she’s oblivious to my quandary. She rises from the couch, gathering our now-empty mugs, and says, just like any good mother would, “Let me go find some baby photos of Rio. I have some cute ones from when he said he wanted to be Spiderman when he grew up.”

Aww! Little Spiderman Rio.

While I fidget in my seat, unsure of what I’m supposed to do in this situation, Solana meanders over and sits next to me. Her book is closed, and her eyes dart between me and the kitchen.

“Zane told me you asked him to readNew Moon. How are you liking the series?”

She gives a small smile. “I didn’t ask him to, he volunteered. He’s kind like that.”

Her admiration gives the impression of a sisterly love. A love that’s made of holidays spent together and laughs shared over many family dinners.

I glance over into the kitchen and see that they’re finishing up putting away the large feast.

“Go easy on him,” she whispers gently.

My attention snaps back to Solana. “What?”

“Rio—all of them really—but Rio is a good brother. Overprotective at times, yes. But he’s never mean; he just worries.”

Feeling another lecture coming on, I just nod along, but Solana drops a bomb instead.

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